Blue eggs and hot cross buns.

Aren't these eggs just gorgeous? My family will be surprised with blue eggs for breakfast at Easter, along with homemade hot cross buns.

Instructions for the eggs are at Southern Living and the bun recipe is from Rhonda Jean at Down to Earth. I've made these several times they aren't just for Easter either, my family loves them. Usually ice them with a pink, strawberry flavoured icing, they are even better than the ones the local bakery serve, perfect for finger buns.

Am looking forward to Easter, I have the whole long weekend off, nice. 4 days to do whatever, was 5 but one of the girls at work is moving and needed the day off, I took her shift.

Need to get into the sewing room to see what I can come up with for my great nieces and nephew instead of giving chocolate, though I might add some to the gift.

Bees

Tonight my husband came inside saying that there were bees around at the front door, he heard buzzing and saw "heaps" of them. I said that I hoped we didn't have a swarm out there and he started saying that we'd have to spray. This horrified me and I said there was no way we are spraying bees, that we'd get someone to collect them. Then all he could think of was the expense. I of course had to look, I saw one on the glass but no others and heard no buzzing. Just went back out there to check and there was one on the wire door but no others, I did hear buzzing but it was a dragonfly flitting around the light. Came in and told him what I saw, just one bee and a dragonfly, he said he saw "at least 2". Umm in my books 2 isn't heaps.

As much as I love bees I don't want a colony in my yard, but there is no way I will ever resort to spraying them I do want them visiting. My husband doesn't share that sentiment, he doesn't like stinging or biting insects and thinks they should be sprayed. Now he is talking of getting bug bombs for inside the house.

Happy Birthday Thomas.

Yesterday was my son Thomas' birthday, he turned 15. I of course had to work, but he had school and then went to soccer with my husband. I felt so guilty about not seeing him, he was asleep when I left and gone when I got home, they didn't get home until close to 11. I did greet him at the door with lots of kisses - on the cheek of course. He didn't get his presents until he got back, husband left them for me to wrap. He got a couple of xbox games, a tshirt and a mobile phone. He had wanted one for his 14th but then changed his mind, but asked for one this year. He's going out more often now and the phone will enable us to keep tabs on him. It's a prepaid one so there won't be any huge bills, he can text us for free, we can call him for free. He has been told it's only for emergencies and receiving calls on. He is very level headed and I know will be responsible with it. His sister was the same, she doesn't make calls in fact I would beg her to use up her credit before time ran out.

I finally made a trip to the Doctor's this week, I've been hobbling around with a sore heel for months, it comes and goes, is worse when I get up from sitting and going down stairs, didn't help that I smashed it on a chunk of concrete either. I already worked out part of the problem, judging by the large mass at the back of my heel, a bone spur but I also have calcified tendinitis of the Achilles tendon. I snuck a look at the xray results seeing as I can't get back to the Dr until Monday. I was glad it wasn't broken from the concrete incident.

Going to get the car looked at this week, it's getting worse, stalling on me and we still need it for a few more weeks as well as it being up for rego at the beginning of April. Going to try to get a 3 month rego on it and then use it for trade-in.

We are now the proud owners of an

approved loan!

The car comes in 3 or 4 weeks.

Put my resume into an OOSH (out of school hours) childcare centre today, there's nothing going right now but they wanted to put it on file. I know one of the employees and the Director is my old hairdresser.

When my mother heard I put the resume in, she was so full of praise "Why are you doing that, are you getting fired?" No, I'm just sick of retail and the cr*p that goes with it. From being expected to stick to impossible deadlines, we were given 4 days to do what should take a week with no extra staff members, as well as serve customers and try to supervise some of the slowest workers I've ever had the pleasure to work with. I can't be constantly on their cases because then my work would be neglected. Another reason I dislike retail is that customers often take things out of context if something goes wrong or we can't get something for them and then take it out on us. I had it the other day and actually snapped back at a customer that I had no say in any of the stock we do or don't have. I usually hold my tongue but this woman was grating. I do love helping customers find what they need and give them tips on how to make items.

I've been offered a transfer to another store closer to home, I'm taking it even though I am not that happy with it. WHEN I get the childcare job (must be positive), I am hoping to work both jobs for a while, the childcare one is split shifts with 6 hours between shifts if I work both in a day. I could duck over to the other job between times, work weekends and on school holidays. I know it's not perfect but until I make sure that the job is really for me I don't want to burn bridges.

Need a budget.

We'll hear whether it's yay or nay on the car loan this afternoon, I now know why I've never personally gone for loan before, they make you jump through hoops. This will be our first brand spanking new car, in the past we have had second-hand ones but that's a gamble buying someone else's problems. We found out one car had to have under water at one stage. Our last car was almost new - it was a demo, was a few months old but only test driven, we had the cash to buy that at the time. But now 10 years later it's becoming a money drain, as soon as we have money saved, something goes wrong with it and we are forking out to fix it and then find that the worst problem hasn't been fixed.

We both need better paying jobs, I especially need one with reliable hours and less travelling time.

As well as working out a budget, we need to change how we grocery shop. At the moment my husband does much of it, he started when I was pregnant with our second child and found he enjoyed it. But I have a problem with how much junk he buys and then I usually have to head out to buy what I consider as esstentials. Got home yesterday to find there were chocolates, individual packs of biscuits and packaged popcorn in the pantry. This is after I told him not to buy them anymore because I will be baking more in future, he thinks they are essential for the kid's snacks. I had baked Snowballs the night before just for that reason. We waste food here left, right and centre and often buy takeaway. I've been pulling the reins in on the takeaways for myself lately - no more buying lunch from the expensive and only cafe near work and finding quick meals to cook up when I'm in a hurry. The main problem I have is when the kids and I head to the shops, as soon as we are through the door one of them mentions they are hungry. Then it's the husband, he goes out to soccer on Wednesday and Fridays, brings himself home burgers afterwards.

We both spend too much on non food related items, husband mostly spends on DVD, computer related, Cds and other recreational items. I spend on things I just have to have, craft items. I've started reining in on my purchases, I'll put those have to have items back, to think about for a while, either I'll not purchase or find it much cheaper elsewhere. Recently I picked up a beautiful tablecloth marked down to $24, didn't want it as a tablecloth but for the fabric. I carried it around the shop wondering what to use the fabric for, but eventually got tired of carrying it so put it back thinking I could just get it before leaving. I ended up purposely leaving without it and even though I have thought about it since but have decided against it.

The next Spring cleaning catagory has been announced at Beautiful 2 God, it's the master bath - WOO HOO, I already did mine as part of the master bedroom. I can relax this week or get started elsewhere. But I will be diligent about keeping the rooms already done up to scratch.

Snowballs recipe.
This is very much like Macroons but without the work and only has 2 ingredients. They would be great treat for those with egg allergies and intolorance.

3 cups desicated coconut
1 tin of condensed milk (395 ml)

Mix coconut and milk together, place on to baking trays in tablespoon sized heaps (smaller if you wish) and bake in a moderate oven for 10-12 minutes until golden.

They are delicious still warm from the oven, the outside is crisp and the inside moist. They do loose their crispness in storage but it is replaced by a lovely chewy texture.

Spring Autumn Cleaning - Master Bedroom - finale.

I worked on the master bedroom today and am very pleased with the outcome. It really wasn't a chore, I looked forward to seeing how it was going to turn out and I also happily went onto cleaning the ensuite. Why have a clean bedroom and a grubby ensuite? We all use the shower in there so it does get a lot of use. I had been inspired to do the cupboard in there after doing the main bathroom last week. What you can't see here is my new sheer curtains, last time I washed my old ones I accidentally threw them out with some old curtains. I bought 11 metres of seconds curtaining, used over 4 metres on the window and the rest is earmarked to make curtains for the bathrooms. The only thing wrong was that part of the hem wasn't attached properly for a couple of metres, the bathroom curtains don't need that part.


Ignore the sleeping bag and bag, my husband was away this weekend and had just gotten home. At least he didn't dump all his bags in there.
I left his things be, only picking up the few things he had left on the floor before he left, he did clean up his side of the bed before leaving.
I added shelves to the shelf in my wardrobe, so much neater.
The floor is clear, I culled my shoes mercilessly - all the ones I haven't worn for ages are gone, only my favourites have stayed, they are on a shelf elsewhere.





I wanted to show off a couple of things on the bathroom counter, I love the cupids, I painted them many years ago in ceramics classes, there used to be a kneeling one but he fell on his head. I didn't get away scott free today, while mopping the floor I knocked a couple of glass candle sticks off the counter. They were only cheap but I was disappointed because I did like them, still have one left. But what I really wanted to show now was the toothbrush glass cover and bowl I crocheted last week, I love the way they turned out. I found the bowl pattern here the glass cover is my own adaption.




The decluttering I mentioned in my last post is going well, I filled the garbage bin outside completely and have donations in the car. If I can get off work early tomorrow I'll drop it off on the way home. One of the things I was thinking of getting rid of was my wedding dress, I didn't store it properly and it has discoloured and was taking up valuable room in my wardrobe, I don't necessarily like it but did back then. I chose to keep it but instead of it taking up space I put it in a vacuum storage bag and now it's slid under my bed. In the bag it's very obvious how discoloured it's become, I'll try washing it one day.

IF IN DOUBT TOSS IT

I think I may have finally seen the light.

I've been getting the God sent message to clear out my life and house. I am a hoarder by nature, my husband is a hoarder, my father is a hoarder it goes along the line. The difference between ours and my dad's hoarding is that his hoarding is organised and for specific purposes - such as building (though why he would need 4 or more kitchen sinks I dont know), he has a garage, a shed and a lean to in which he puts his hoarded stuff. And yes some of it comes in handy, he replaced a kitchen in one of his houses with one that he snaffled from somewhere, he may have paid a couple of hundred for it but it was eons better than the old one.

As for us we have no rhyme or reason to our hoarding, there are things that we probably won't ever use again, broken things - even cardboard boxes. Everything is everywhere, it's really a time waster.

I make a start every so often and toss a few things but this time I am going Amazon Pirates on it and going to be Ruthless - just call me Nancy. (Anyone familar with the Swallows and Amazons books should get the reference there, if not you should read them, they are fantastic books. I didn't discover them until adulthood.)

I've always had dreams where I am away, staying in a motel and it's time to pack, my things are scattered everywhere and it takes me ages to pack. In this morning's dream I was still packing when the next lot of guests arrived. In the end I looked down at what I was packing, I even was grabbing things they were throwing out - even out of a slimy pit, I thought enough. Started throwing things out, giving things away and my load got lighter and lighter. Nice.

The other day my boss offered me some curtains, they were old samples we had, I looked at them and told her that I didn't want them just for the sake of getting them free. She asked but isn't there something you could do with the fabric - hmm probably but no. Told her that I was trying clear stuff out, she told me she understood, she hates clutter.

I bought curtain fabric the other day for my bedroom window, it was a seconds fabric and there were a couple of pieces left over that I couldn't use. I told my daughter to toss them, she kept saying that she was sure there were things I could use it for, I hesitated but then said "TOOSSS ITTTTT".

Well I better get off here and to it.

Spring Autumn Cleaning - Master Bedroom

My side of the bed

Bed needs a skirt, but it's been on the "it can wait list" for many years. Took this just after I got up, so it isn't made.
My wardrobe, the picture turned out really dark, I've already started on it so can't retake it. Let me describe - things dumped on shelf and on floor with clothes hanging in between.
My husband's side of the bed - erk. He piles things up in front of his dresser then can't get into it which is why the basket of his clothes is there. I didn't take a pic of his wardrobe because he considers it his domain so I won't be touching that, but I will be tackling his pile.
My dresser and the tub chairs that I haven't gotten around to recovering yet, can you tell which one is mine and which is the husband's? The white thing on the floor is the bedspread waiting to be put back on the bed.

It's Thursday and I know that it's supposed to be done by tomorrow, but unfortunately it won't be, this week I've had more days at work. A normal day's work and a long commute (up to 4 hours a day) really takes it's toll on me and often am in no fit state at night. I'm hoping that all changes very soon, am applying for jobs closer to home. I've asked to be taken off being a supervisor at work, the stress is not worth the pay and asked for transfers which have been promised but never quite eventuating. Yesterday I was told I was going to be transferred a little closer to home, but as a second in command - which is what I don't want, wasn't given the option to refuse.

On the new car front, as of tonight we are the proud owners of a blinker -- I suppose that is what $2oo deposit might get us or perhaps not. We have to wait a couple of days to see if finance is approved and then wait a month for the car. It's last years model and much to David's disgust is an Automatic, because I don't drive Manual. I know how to drive one, I had to borrow Mum's car to drive to work one day when our car was being serviced. Driving in non peak hour traffic traumatised me so much that I made David come and drive the car home after he had collected, our car, there was no way I was driving home in peak hour.

The new car isn't what I wanted, I wanted a Suzuki Swift, but at least he let me choose the colour. Because it's last year's model the price was reduced and the salesman tossed in the metallic paint for free.

Feeling old and a quick meal, not fast food

On the way home in the train tonight I had the horrifying realisation that tomorrow my daughter will be old enough to drink legally, over here anyway. It's her 18th Birthday, I can't believe it's been a whole 18 years since I first held her in my arms, my teeny tiny baby. And she was tiny, 4lb 11 1/2 ounces (the half is important) in the old measure, about 2.2 kilos in the new. The doctors kept extending my due date due to her size, but she ended up being induced 2 days before her original date, a perfect baby who was just small. I think I may have been warned about developmental delays, they didn't tell her she started walking on Boxing Day but did have some speech issues. She was about 4 and I was trying to get her to say her name properly, she would say Gagandra. She turned to me and said as clear as anything "I'll say it when I go to school" and sure as eggs the day she started school was the day she started speaking clearly. She actually came home from school and told me that she "didn't want to be called Cassandra anymore, I want to be Cassie". It's funny because that is what she was supposed to be called, her name was going to be shortened from the beginning but everyone said how pretty the name Cassandra was and it stuck.


After a long day at work and on the train I got home and decided to have a rest but then looked at the time, it was almost 8 o'clock, David was out so dinner wasn't made. I tossed up whether to run out and buy something but thought better of it. Cooked some pasta, a mornay sauce, tossed in a tin of tuna, some peas and carrots and toasted bread crumbs. In less time than it would have taken to go out and get that quick takeaway we sat down to a delicious meal. Not something David would eat, he's just walked in with his own takeaway.

New car shopping

I think we are going out this morning to look at cars, told David we were anyway. It's going to mean going into debt if we decide. Used the loan calculator at the CU website, works out to be around $105 per week for 4 years, paid fortnightly. I'm sure we each could pay $105 per fornight without too much hassle or sacrifice. Not taken into account the trade-in. Part of the amount will be covered by savings in petrol, going from a V6, which has gotten thirsty of late, to an economical V4.

So we took a look at our local Hyundai yard, they had the car in the colour I wanted. David's been spouting the virtues of the Getz for ages, solely based on what he's read or seen on TV, I don't think he was prepared when he actually saw the size of it, especially the boot. For simple picnics there would be a lot we'd have to forgo, we'd either fit in the picnic basket in or the esky, so we would have to make a choice do we need things to eat/cook with or food. Tomorrow we are going to check out the Suzuki Swift, again a small car. We'd consider getting a trailer, an idea we've toyed with recently. Even with the larger car we have now we often take the van as well as the car on outings, just to carry the bikes, the van only seats 2.

I will need to find extra ways of bringing in money - maybe if I get my finger out and actually sell my handcrafted stuff. I could win the lottery but that means I'd need to actually buy a ticket. Could take up busking and have people pay me NOT to sing. Or I could add more ads on here to see if they generate any moula. I don't think work would like me putting a tip jar on the counter. Could go diving in fountains to collect change. Or take up bank robbing, wouldn't need a car after my first job, can't drive a car around a 4 by 4 cell. A garage sale, might cover a payment or two. No spending? Use what I have, get going on the $21 challenge, plant vegies, turn my backyard into an oasis of tranquility so I don't feel the need to go out for the sake of my sanity.
It's not a huge amount of money, we are only going for a cheap car, nor do we have to worry about paying other debts or rent. If all else fails I'm sure we could do without cable tv and internet (no no not my internet!!!) without too many problems - I'm sure there are other things to do isn't there?

Spring Autumn Cleaning - main bath - final

Worked on the bathroom today, it probably took a couple of hours (each time I thought I was close to being finished I'd find something else to do).

Started with the toilet, you can see the new toilet brush set and the new contour mat.
Washed the walls down and then moved onto the bathtub


and shower.

Then onto basin and counter.

Didn't forget the inside of the cupboard either, threw 3 bags of rubbish and old lotions out.

Finally after all that what else is there to do but this?



Warning NUDITY ahead, continue at own risk.


When I got out of the bath, got dressed and picked up the dirty clothes, I was feeling so relaxed and very pleased with myself.


Now I'm off to find a design for my faux stained glass fake window.

Needs and Wants.

Was out shopping today and I got thinking about Needs and Wants, a need is something that you have to have, such as food etc, a want is something you just have to have but can do without, ice cream springs to mind (it's a foodstuff but we don't need ice cream to survive) (or chocolate for that matter but both are essential if others around us want to survive without injury).

The reason I went shopping was for wants - I wanted new accessories for the bathroom to go along with the clean. Mainly it was for a toilet brush, we have one but it's housed in an icecream container, I wanted something nicer but wasn't going to spend a lot of money on it. First I went to Victoria's Basement, hoping they had bathroom accessories there, nope only kitchenwares, everything is discounted. I found a tablecloth down from $80 to $24, tossed up whether to get it just for the fabric it was 3 metres long. Thought about making a quilted throw with it, but decided I didn't need it, I did however need a new oven mit and new breadboards. I determined how much I wanted to spend on the breadboards, no more than $12, but most there were over the $20 mark. I was starting to walk away when I looked down to find the perfect one at $7.50, I bought 2 because we need 2. The oven mit was marked right down to $3. What I didn't need was to look in the discounted Christmas stuff, I found a gorgeous figurine of 2 Angels holding a candle, no I didn't need it but did want it. I thought it would be perfect for the bathroom.

Still on the hunt for the loo brush, I ventured to Spotlight, they did have some on special but not the style I wanted. In there I saw cotton yarn on special for $2, again not a need but I bought a baker's dozen. Useful for dishcloth or a string bag. The next shop was a pet shop, this time a need, water conditioner for Rohon.

Then I called into the supacentre along Parramatta Road, in there I found a metal bucket with SOAK printed on it, have been wanting one of these but wasn't going to spend over $30, this one was a bargain at $10, I actually gasped out loud. I also found a utensil holder, again metal, for $12.95 that I was going to use to house the loo brush. I had the idea from loo brushes that this store sold for $30.

After that I headed home but decided to call into a bargain store to purchase a cheap loo brush, they had one for $2 but it was bright orange, wanted a white one. But they had a set that wasn't that disimular to what I had seen in the other store for $30, this one was only $6.99. It's stainless steel, I may ended up spray painting it to get the colour I want. I also got a bathmat set for only $15, it's washable too, idea and a large picture frame for $6.99. I want to use it to make a faux stained glass window to hang on the bathroom wall.

Apart from just one thing everything I bought was a want but I made sure I didn't pay full price on those.

And as for buying a new car, that is both a want and a need, our car is getting more and more unreliable, the last time we had it repaired it cost $2000 and they didn't get rid of it's major problem. I may work out a compromise, get the Getz as David wants BUT I getz to choose the colour, saw it in the green, thought the colour was pretty. I'll break the news when he getz home. Just have to work out finances now.

This morning I headed into work, I left my phone there yesterday and I wanted to give a hand doing something I couldn't get to yesterday. It took an hour to do, would have been quicker if I wasn't limping around - really got to get my heel seen to. Had a cuppa and a chat with my boss, part of the discussion was about me transferring to somewhere closer to home.

After I left there I drove to Coogee Beach, paid for an hour's parking ($3.20) and then walked and waded along the beach. It was lovely. When my hour was up I decided to drive to Bondi Beach but decided I wasn't going to pay for parking there. Instead I went looking for a shop I found last time I was there, it had closed down - found an eco linen shop instead and brought some facewashers.

After that went to the Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park, the site of the EQ holds many nostalgic memories for me and other Sydney siders, as well as folk from further afield. It was the site of The Royal Agricultural Show (AKA The Easter Show) for 116 years, until it moved sites in 1998. It now houses Fox Studios, movie theatres, dining and shops. I had lunch at Bay Swiss before heading home.

On the trip home I pulled into a car showroom, we need a new car so I am comparison shopping, today I looked at Suzuki Swift and Alto. The Alto is too small but the Swift looks ok, we are wanting to downsize but still want 4 doors. David is insistent that our next car will be the Hyundai Getz, he talks of economy, while I talk of pretty - I think the Getz is ugly and seeing as I will be driving it the most I think I should get the bigger vote. One of the cars I was considering was the Toyota Yaris but with all the media regarding faults right now we may steer clear of Toyota. As I said I want pretty, David better be careful I don't choose a blue Prius.

Work and a Guardian Angel.

Had to work today, my shift was only supposed to be 4 hours but I had a word with my manager about my roster last week. I travel anywhere from 45 minutes to over 2 hours (one way) to my job when I drive, by train it's an hour and a half (one way). I did not want to travel 3 or 4 hours for a shift of 4 hours. My manager understood so offered me more hours, gave me an all day shift with starting at 10 instead of 9. Was also asked to attend a sewing machine training in another location. As it was I didn't get out of the store until 6.20 and had to race the 20 minutes to the station, I got to the other store right on 7 and then discovered I had left my phone at work!

Subconsciously I must have done it on purpose because I felt guilty about not being able finish a couple of jobs that should be done by opening in the morning, had thought about going in even though I'm not rostered on, so now I have to go in. Won't let it be a waste, have decided that I'll head for the beach for some R&R afterwards.

Because of the meeting it meant that I had to travel by train, no reliable parking nearby which meant that I would be coming later and in the dark. The train was ok, there were a lot of other commuters but the walk home is a little daunting - seeing as my husband was out at his own meeting and I had no phone anyway. Several people got off at my stop, but most were picked up, I was the only woman left. Was walking behind 2 young men, who suddenly stopped outside the bank. I walked past and they started walking behind me, got a little worried so I crossed at the crossing and onto the opposite side of the road I needed to be. They followed suit, I considered heading into the pub (the only place open) but then noticed a well dressed man in front of me. All the time the 2 men were a short distance behind me, I caught up to the other man and was walking just behind him. He stood to the side to let me pass and said hello, told him hello back and then he mentioned the weather so we had a little chat about that as we walked. I turned back and the 2 men were gone. It was as if that man was put there just for me, we didn't talk anymore, I walked just in front of him before crossing the road to get to my street, he also turned into the same street but in the opposite direction. I thought to myself I should have thanked him for being my Guardian Angel.

Spring Autumn Cleaning - main bath - take 2

I recharged the batteries for my camera so here are some before shots.

It's not that bad, it often looks worse. But it needs a deep cleaning.




Inside of my messy cupboard.

There's going to be a little work done in here soon, the shower leaks so after we cut through the wall from the laundry we find that it can only be accessed through the shower stall. Means removing tiles, but we should have spares. I'm considering adding wainscotting around the 3 walls that aren't tiled, I'd also like to get rid of the dolphin tiles and the basin/cupboard. My tastes have changed, we chose the tiles for the kids, but now they are grown up I think the room needs to grow up too. But it's not a priority, there is no way I am going to debt because of dolphin tiles.

Spring Autumn Cleaning - main bath

It's time for the next room, where does the week go?

We have 2 bathrooms, the main one and my ensuite. The shower in the main one is out of commission due to a leak. After a number of years husband finally got around to looking at it last week, he cut a hole into the wall in the laundry to see but it appears we have to repair it on the bathroom side - which means removing tiles. We have spares in the garage BUT I'm thinking it would be nice for a change, I was over the dolphin tiles in there long ago, probably won't happen though.

Anyway back to the subject - my main focus will be on the main bathroom as it is the one that any visitors use, we rarely have overnighters. But saying that the ensuite which is used by all four of us is in desperate need of an overhaul, I did get a start in there this morning. The shower has a little mold in it so I've given that a spray with my pet hate - bleach. I hate chemicals in the house but husband bought it, I figure using a little is better than just throwing it out. I just gave it a rinse it looks a lot better.

I'll be glad to get another room or two done, it's nice having rooms that are clutter free even if they are the smallest rooms in the house. You should see the rest of the house or maybe not. Cassie and I are still working things out in our rooms, there is just so much stuff, do we really need it all? A lot of my craft stuff are things I don't use all the time but I certainly don't want to get rid of it and then find that I need specific tools or supplies, they can be expensive. I do need to use what I have. The dining and lounge room have been taken over by my husband and son, they too have swapped rooms. The computer room junk is all over the dining table, overflowing to the floor while Thomas' stuff is all over the lounge room. All the furniture is in the new rooms but they still have to go through the clutter. Does hubby really need manuals from a job he hasn't held for 10 years? He doesn't even work in the same industry. Or those for cars we haven't owned for longer than that.

We are hoarders, worse than some, better than others. David's sister mentioned it to us, her house is immaculate all the time BUT she has not got hobbies - working and her son's sports
is all she seems to do.

Right now I have Tapioca on the stove, it's been sitting in the cupboard for ages and Cassie pulled it out yesterday asking if I could cook it. Soaked it overnight and now it's on a double boiler - didn't realise it takes an hour and a half.

It's a beautiful Autumn day outside, blue skies, breezy, I really need to get out in it, I'll take time to spend at a local park when I head out for groceries later.

Yesterday I went over to one of our neighbor niece's to see her new puppies, they are only a day old and all have their dad's colouring, he is brindle, while the mum has a lot of white. For a breed of dog I don't like, they are sooo cute. The mum is a sweet dog we've always gotten on but I know better than to just head straight for the puppies without her consent. She looked a little sad to me, she's usually very playful, could be tiredness and shock from having her first litter. But she may also realise that something else is up, her companion died of Parvo this week. They took him when his owner couldn't have him at their rented premises, the owner hadn't thought to complete his inoculations. My niece's dog is fully vaccinated and the pups should have immunity at first, they are taking no chances until they get their shots. They've painted their concrete patio and will not be letting the pups into the rest of the yard.

Spring Autumn Cleaning - Entry

First comes the walk of shame but I've only got one shot of it, somehow a glitch got to the images and this was the best of a bad lot. The area was cluttered, had husband's soccer gear and my scrapbooking bag (going to give it to niece I don't use it). Hadn't been swept in ages, everything was dusty and in disarray.


With only about 20 minutes work here is the tada, it looks so much better now. Is not completely done, have only dusted table tops, cleared out clutter and quickly swept floor. I also would like to paint the wall behind the sewing machine.


The framed pictures are just cards that my mother made for my husband, I liked them muchly so put them in cheap frames. All the pictures are waiting for hanging as soon as I decide on a paint colour and do the painting they will go up. The Geisha was a 21st gift from my Mother In Law.
This quilt was made by Mum and really needs to be hung for full enjoyment.

Still have to wash walls, remove any webs, vacuum teddy collection above mirror, wash curtains, clean windows and sills. I may also put new curtains up.

My dream entry way would include a closet for coats, shoes and bags but we don't have that option here.

The entry is mostly filled with some of my favourite things - vintage sewing machines, my kids hand made teddies.

Dinner, lunch and a snack.

Last night I made one of the recipes from the $21 Dollar Challenge book, the Potato Pie for One - I increased it to feed 4. The kids seemed to like it, though David didn't, we both thought it needed something more. Perhaps I didn't put in enough Paprika but I think I will try it again, with additions and not so thick. I cut a piece in half, through the middle and fried it up for lunch, had one piece with mustard and the other with Mint Sauce.



Tried another recipe today from the book, Snow Drops. There are only 2 ingredients, coconut and condensed milk, they have come out so good. I just had to lick the mixture off my fingers before washing my hand, it was so good I wasn't going to waste it down the drain.


I just had 2 with a cup of tea. I am going to dip the base of half the batch into chocolate and then toast the rest of the coconut, add that to the remaining chocolate to make Coconut Rough. Very Yummy. Isn't my new teacup pretty? I bought it last week, I jokingly call it my little teacup, it's really quite big, a tad under half litre. The flower on it is a Bottlebrush. It's by Maxwell and Williams, got it for half off at a closing down sale.

Update: everyone loves the Snowballs, my son's friend gave them a 9 out of 10. The Coconut Rough also got a thumbs up all around. I don't think there's much left, I'm glad I hid a few away to share with a couple of friends tomorrow.

I've had a lazy day so far, Thomas ran late for school so I drove him, he was only a couple of minutes late and I had to call the credit union about a bill I tried to pay yesterday. Web bank told me it was over my daily limit, so I went to the local branch to be told it would cost $40 for them to do. $40 for a $17 bill, you have got to be KIDDING! When I rang it turns out that they have my limit set to $0, had it reset and I was then able to pay it myself without incurring a ridiculous fee.

I did get some exercise in, yesterday I bought a Door Knob Exerciser (similar) and gave that a try. The only door knob I have room to lay down in front of is the pantry so after moving the kitchen table I lay on a quilt on the kitchen floor. Also did half hour on the treadmill while watching an old Sherlock Holmes episode.

Simple Savings

I've been on the Simple Savings mail list for a few years now, I love reading the hints and newsletters. There are so many wonderful and surprisingly simple ideas for saving money. Have just rejoined as a member and have decided I'd like to share the site with any of my readers.

Bought their $21 Challenge Book a couple of weeks ago but my daughter grabbed it right away, I've only just been able to grapple it back from her. Have only looked at the recipes so far, definitely going to give many a try - watch for future posts.

Please click on the links to see how you too can learn how to save money - is there something you would like to save for? A new car, a Holiday, get out the rental rat race or to pay off your Mortgage faster? Or most importantly a better lifestyle?

It's here, it's finally here!!

Woke up this morning, noticed that outside the weather was overcast and the breeze was quite cool. Went to bed last night with the fan on and only a sheet over me. I realised what today is - the first day of Autumn, it's finally arrived and I can start wearing my old comfys. All through summer I look at my soft, warm dressing gown and pine for the days when I can curl up in it with the hood on or under a soft cuddly blanket. It's not quite cool enough to do that but I was able to put a pullover on this morning.

I don't like Summer much at all, I hate being hot and sticky. I prefer the cooler months. We have mild winters here, no snow - no matter how much I wish for it. I think this year I will venture forth in search of it. It does sometimes snow less than an hour away from here but not very reliably. For more reliable snow we'll need to travel over 5 hours south to the Snowy Mountains. This is the same area we came home through just a few weeks ago. I am just going to have to placate myself with frequent trips to the Blue Mountains and Katoomba in the hope of seeing snow, I'm after the real lay on the ground snow not the sleet like substance that fell the last couple of times we were there. It only lasted for moments and barely hit the ground.